The survey follows another study by America Online and employee
compensation data firm, Salary.com, suggesting that the average US
worker wastes 2.09 hours every eight-hour workday – excluding
authorised lunch and coffee breaks.
Not all of this time was spent on the internet – although it did
come top of the list of employee distractions. Of more than 10,000
workers polled by AOL and Salary.com, 44.7% put web surfing first.
Socialising with others in the office was second (23.4%) and
conducting personal business was third (6.8%).
Accountemps’ poll of 150 senior executives from some of the
largest US companies also found that, while surfing the web may
seem like a guilty pleasure, it’s not a secret one. Nearly two
thirds of those surveyed said that their organisations monitored
employees closely, or somewhat closely.
“Many people are unaware that a permanent record exists of their
internet and email use at work,” said Max Messmer, chairman of
Accountemps. “Most organisations actively monitor web use by
employees to ensure it complies with established corporate
policy.”
The UK's Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, has published
a code of practice setting out guidance for employers on monitoring
employees' internet and email use. The golden rule, he said at the
time of its publication, is that, "where monitoring does take
place, employees should be made aware of its nature and extent and
the reasons for carrying it out. Only in exceptional circumstances
will it be appropriate for employers to monitor their employees
without their knowledge."
